For two semesters, a small group of students have been working with the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections (IDJC) on a service-learning project through their Psychology and Social Work classes at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Volunteering with IDJC as a CWI Service Learning Student is a great opportunity to learn about different career opportunities. Students were also able to participate in a guided tour of the Juvenile Correction Center in Nampa.
“The service-learning experience with IDJC was amazing,” said Diana Alfaro, a CWI student majoring in Liberal Arts. “My favorite part was going out to the Juvenile Correction Center facility on a tour. While there, we had the opportunity to learn about the operations of each department within the facility.
As part of this project, the students contributed to Youth Speaks, a newsletter published by the Youth Committee within the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission, for juveniles in the correction centers, on probation, or in county detention centers. The newsletter addresses topics such as bullying, drug abuse, as well as personal, motivational stories and humor.
“We individually select a topic then write an article that will be relevant and bring a smile to a juvenile in custody,” Alfaro said.
Articles were edited and approved by the Youth Committee and a small group of staff within IDJC. The newsletters were then printed and distributed to youth at the IDJC facilities and detention centers throughout Idaho during the 2019 statewide Youth Survey Tour.
